John Nicholls Group joins PHG

The PHG buying group has announced that the John Nicholls Group, including J&B Plumbing Supplies, will join the membership from 1 January, 2016.

Founded in Banbury 50 years ago, the John Nicholls Group now has 16 branches, 150 staff and a turnover in excess of £40m.

PHG chairman David Pochin said: "We are delighted to welcome John Nicholls as the 22nd PHG member and to be able to place their substantial plumbing and heating turnover at the disposal of our suppliers. PHG has enjoyed significant organic growth over the last two years and the addition of Nicholls underlines our market leadership in the independent sector with group turnover now upwards of £450m."

John Nicholls executive chairman Andrew Nicholls commented: "The growing importance of plumbing and heating within the Nicholls business, following our acquisition of J&B's, is reflected in our decision to join the PHG buying group. We deemed the PHG ethos and scale to be critical to our future success and we are very excited at the prospect of working with this likeminded membership."

Newtown-based MDF profile manufacturer, W.Howard Polyco has appointed Graham Wiblin as its new General Manager. Joining the business with a successful track record in operational management, Graham takes on the role at an exciting time as it continues with expansion and the development of new products.